
A Comprehensive Resource
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Trewhitt History - Truhitte
Family
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The material on this page is from Hortense Abbott's -
"Trewhitt Families."
This portion is relevant to my family - RC
The first of the Trewhitt Line in America was a Levi Trewhitt who was born in
England in 1680. In the towns of High and Low Trewhitt in Northerumberland
County, England there were quite a number of Trewhitt families. But so far we
have not connected this Levi with any of them.
Levi was a Sea Captain and came to North Carolina about 1700. He was
appointed Clerk of the Court of Pamplica, Bath County by a Colonel Carey, Deputy
Governor of Carolina in the year 1700. This was during the period of Carolina's
Proprietorship, at a time when the only real settlement in North Carolina was
Albemarle and the only town worth mention was Bath.
Wills and other Documents of Bath County bear Levi Trewhitt's seal. On 7 July
1702 he was given title to 640 acres at Pamlico by George Montgomery. On 24 Dec
he sold this land to a Thomas Ivy for Valuable consideration. On the 20th of
June 1702 a Thomas Horsley gave Power of Attorney to his beloved friend, Levi
Trewhitt of Bath County, to handle or sell 640 acres. In 1705 Levi Trewhitt and
Thomas Durham were ordered to pay a debt of 11 lbs. to John Porter, Esq. In June
1706 Levi Trewhitt sold 330 acres on which he was living to Thomas Sparrow. In
Oct 1707 he deeded land on which he was living to Edward Bromwich to settle a
debt of 40 lbs of Sterling owed to a Giles White, a Merchant of London. Levi may
have borrowed this money to finance his trip to America. On 29 Mar 1710 Ann
Nelson, wife of John Nelson, appointed Levi Trewhitt as her attorney to sell
land to James Keith and Richard Hill.
Queen Anne appointed her cousin to be Governor of the Carolinas. He in turn
appointed a William Glover to be his Deputy Governor replacing Colonel Carey.
Usually those appointed by the Rulers of England to rule in the New Country were
a friend or relative they wished to get rid of. This may have been the case
here.
Levi Trewhitt joined the ousted Carey and helped form a rebellion of dissenters
known as Carey's Rebellion of 1711. Levi was charged with outfitting two vessels
with cannon and attempting to overthrow the Government of the Colony. Also for
shelling Pollack's Plantation where Governor Hyde, Queen Anne's cousin, had
taken refuge.
Forced to flee, Trewhitt was captured along with Colonel Carey, George Lumley,
Challingham Ward and Edmond Porter. They were captured by Deputy Governor
Spotswood of Virginia. After being held in goal (jail) in Williamsburg, the then
Capital of Virginia, Levi Trewhitt was shipped, in chains, to England on the EMS
Reserve, Capt. Teate, Commander, to stand trial for sedition.
There are a number of letters in the North Carolina Colonial Records where
Levi's name is spelled variously as 'Trewhitt' 'Pruchet' 'Treuit', 'Treuvit', 'Trewit'
and 'Truwhitt' pertaining to this case.
Some state that Levi used his office to enrich himself. Governor Hyde, in a
letter to the Lord Proprietors dated 22 Aug 1711, stated, "It will be
proven the he, Levi Truehott, was famous for falsifying judgments and razing
records."
In England, after a delay of over a year, Levi's case was dismissed for lack
of evidence. He then returned to the 'Scence of his Crime' and settled on the
bank of the River Neuse, near New Bern and established a plantation. If his so
called crimes were true, why was Levi permitted to return and settle here? Levi
planted trees which, until the turn of the century, were known as Trewhitt
Oaks. There was also a road called Trewhitt Road out in the country
from New Bern.
Levi's wife was Mary. Her maiden name and when or where they were married is not
known. At this time Levi and Mary were living in Craven County. Bath
County was renamed Craven County in 1712. As far as we know Levi and
Mary had one son, Levi Trewhitt Jr.
Levi Trewhitt Jr. was married and had issue. His wife was Ann. There
was a Levi Truhite whose will was dated 10 June 1779 in Amelia County,
Virginia who could have been this Levi Jr. There was a Levi Jr. mentioned as
having been granted 800 acres of land in Craven County in 1744. His only
known descendent was a son named Joseph.
We have no birth date or marriage date for Joseph. His wife was Percillar. He
maiden name and birthdate are unknown. From Joseph's will we have the names of 6
children, all born in Craven County, North Carolina. Some land
transactions of Joseph were found. He bought 50 acres from a William Hacock for
English measure on 15 Mar 1751 He sold 100 acres for 80 lbs. in 1755. Joseph and
Percillar's children were:
- A-Levi Trewhitt who married Mary West. We only know of 3 sons. No doubt
there were others. Levi's will was probated in 1812 and he named his two
oldest sons as Executors of his will.
- 1-Thomas Trewhitt, married Betsy Arnold 13 Mar 1804. in Craven
County.
- 2-Willis Trewhitt, married Nancy Wiggins 11 May 1801 in Craven
County. The records show that Willis bought 204. acres from Levi
West for 61 pounds on 2 Oct 1801. This land was on the Neuse River. In
Feb 1808 he bought 6 acres from Levi West for 9 pounds and in Mar 1808
he bought 105 acres from Blake Carlton. All land on the South side of
the Neuse River and the East side of Losely Creek. They had 8
children. We have no birth dates for them. Children of Willis and
Nancy:
- A-John B.
- B-Levi, C- Gatsey who married Hickabub Hall 13 July 1822,
- D-Mary,
- E-Spencer,
- F-Willis M.,
- G-Eleanor and
- H-Elizabeth. Willis and some of the younger ones moved to Orange
County, North Carolina where they were on the Tax Records. His
will was dated 7 Jan 1829 and was probated in Aug 1829 in Orange
County.
- 3-James Trewhitt, married Elizabeth Mumford who was born 1 Mar 1774 in
North Carolina. James bought land in Buncombe County, North Carolina.
James died there about 1800 and Elizabeth took their 11 children and
moved to Hawkins County, Tennessee. The early records of Hawkins
County were destroyed when the Court House burned. Elizabeth then
moved to Roane County. Morgan County was taken from Roane
County in 1817. The family was then in Morgan County.
Elizabeth died 29 Mar 1856 in Hamilton County, Tennessee. Their
children were: A-Elizabeth, B-Jesse, C-Sarah (Sally) and D-Levi.
- A-Elizabeth Trewhitt, born in 1790. Married John Brown 28 Nov 1809
-, in Rhea County, Tennessee. In the 1850 Census of Hamilton County,
Tennessee, Elizabeth and John were listed with two sons.
- 1-William Brown, born in 1813.
- 2-John Brown, born in 1815. Married to a Mariah. They had 5
children.
- A-John Brown, born in 1835.
- B-James Brown, born in 1836.
- C-Jane Brown, born in 1837.
- D-William Brown, born in 1848.
- E-Jesse Brown, born in 1849.
- B-Jesse Trewhitt, born in 1794. Married Nancy Gilstrap 1 Apr 1813
in Roane County, Tennessee. Morgan County was taken from
Roane County in 1817 and they now lived in Morgan County. Jesse
studied medicine and received his Doctors Degree. When and where he
studied is not known. In 1839, along with others of his family and
friends, they moved to Putnam County, Missouri. He took up land in
Hartford, three miles East of Unionville, Missouri. Then in 1861,
with 6 of their 8 children, moved to Crawford County, Arkansas.
The war between the States started and in order to furnish the
people with medical care, Dr. Jesse was hidden in a cave just South
of Cedarville. The people came there during the night to get
medicine and bring him provisions. Soon after the War Dr. Jesse died
and is buried in a small plot along with his wife Nancy. A fence was
kept around the plot which is on his son's farm. Dr. Jesse and Nancy
were the parents of 8 children. 1 James M., 2-Winifred, 3-Mary Ann,
4.-William, 5-Elizabeth, 6-Mary Eliza, 7-Levi, and 8-Lelia.
- 1-James Madison Trewhitt, born in 1816. Married Mary Ann
Guffey. Mary Ann is the daughter of Henry (Hall) and Elizabeth
Adams Guffey. James was a Circuit Rider, Presbyterian
Preacher for 50 years in Missouri and Arkansas. He would be gone
from home several weeks at a time, leaving the farm work to his
wife and children. Mary Ann, his wife, was a short heavy set,
woman with red hair and a temper to match. On one of his
missionary trips, James acquired and brought home some cloth for
a suit that one of his friends had given him. Mary Ann took the
cloth and threw it in the fireplace and said, "You tell old
Mrs. Haggis that I do my own weaving." Mary Ann
delivered babies for mothers all over that part of the country.
They had a big stump for her to climb upon so that she could get
on a horse when she was called to help. It was said that
Mary Ann smoked a pipe and when someone came to see her she
would put the pipe in her apron pocket. All of the cooking
was done over a fireplace. When I was there in 1961 I saw traces
of the foundation of their home and a pile of rocks where the
chimney had been. The well had been boarded over. Some
old-fashioned flowers were growing close to where the house had
stood. No doubt the children got little schooling during
the winter months as they had to go 9 miles on horse back to
school. The Forest Service now owns the land where this
farm was and have planted it into trees. It would be hard now,
to locate where the house had been. We know so little about the
hardships, joys and sorrows of our pioneer ancestors, but they
paved the way for us to enjoy the many blessings we now
have. Twelve children blessed this union. A-William,
B-Ethel Malinda, C-Jesse, D-Sarah A., E-Elizabeth, F-James M.
Jr., G-Mary, H-Polly Ann, I-Ephebia, J-Martha, K-John,
L-Benjamin. James died Feb 1888 and no doubt is buried on
his farm. Mary Ann was living with her son Benjamin in Uniontown,
Arkansas when she died in 1904. She is buried in the Uniontown
Cemetery in an unmarked grave.
- A-William Trewhitt, born in 1834. Married Martha Jane
Stockton 13 July 1856 in Unionville, Missouri.
They-had several children and moved to Stone County,
Missouri.
- B-Ethel Malinda Trewhitt, born 18 Nov 1837. Married Joseph
Triplett 25 June 1857 in Unionville. Joseph was born
4 Nov 1835 in Russell County, Kentucky to William and
Nancy Scott Triplett. They moved to Unionville in 1840. The
Tripletts, Guffeys, and Trewhitts were all good friends in Unionville.
There is no record of Joseph ever owning land in Unionville.
Six children were born to Ethel Malinda and Joseph
here. In the following letter dated Feb 23 1867, Ethel
Malinda's father, James M. Trewhitt told them that where he
lived was a good place for a poor man to get a start so in
1869 Joseph and his family moved to Lees Creek, Arkansas.
The letter: February 23 day 1867, Crofford City, Arkansas
Dear children, after your letter just coming to hand
which was gladly received I rite. We are all well but myself
the relations is all well and health good generally as for
time is good enafe, corn dull, sale being plenty all over
the country for sale, pork 10 dollars per 100, hogs cured
but the price coming down fast. Everything is going downe
cattle plenty and fair prices. Work handes gits 23 dollars
per month on the farm. We had a warm winter. Me and the
children picked out cotton January and December on the river
bottom we got 2 dollars per hundred for picking out, You
want to know how I am giting along bad. We have one cow and
calfe 2 brood sows is all. My crop last year was planted
late and was cut off by the droth and have had to buy corn
all winter. I have 6 acres in likly wheat and is grubing out
ground for corn. I have put a new stone chimney in my house
and a new rof on it. I have sit out some more fruit trees. I
am well satisfied with this country. I think will soon be
the best country in the world. Your brother Bill is living
in Stone County Missouri. Jim is living on olde Gulleyes
place and is doing no good nor never will. Polly ann is
living in Kansas yit. Linda, your Uncle James Guffe is
living on John Allgrew old place by James Watters, he has
also bought a farm on Lees Creek and if you was here now you
could git a good fit out for this year. The improvements in
Van Buren make it looke like another place in fact the
countri is improving all over it faste. The war opened up~a
new field of labor hear. This is now a poor mans countri. We
have had 2 weeks of heavy falls of rain and the grapes is
growing nice. 0 I forgot Levi Trewhitts oldest boy William
died in October last with the fever. Mother is yet alive and
is living with Levi. You must forgive me for not riting
sooner and not do as I have don but do as I say rite and do
yer duty like good children will do, Linda rite in your next
letter if your grandfather Guffe is yet alive or not. Linda
I will send you a lock of my hair for you to looke at till
you come, for I wish you was hear out of that cold countri.
Mary Ann Trewhitt. Now Linda I will send you a locke of my
hair so you may see whether it looks like it used to. We
saved a tree of purty.red apples for your children and they
didn't come to git them. So must close for this time for I
have to rite to Bets this morning also.
Your parents truly, James Trewhitt Mary Ann Trewhitt, To
Joseph Triplit, Etha Linda Triplit
- E-Edward Den Comstock, born 1 Feb 1912. Married Opal
Standard.
- 2-Edward Chadwick Jr., born 1 Jan 1881 in Van Buren,
Arkansas. He died in Oct 1886. After Edward died in
1881 Sarah married Harrison Small 1 Sept 1883. He was born
29 Feb 1840 in Rockport, Indiana. They had
7 children. He died 2 Jan 1926 and is buried in the Cemetery
in Fort Smith. Sarah died 8 Jan 1943 in Uniontown. It is
thought that all of their children were born in Uniontown.
We know that the last one was. Their 7 children:
- 1-James Small, born in 1884. Died in 1886.
- 2-Harrison Victor Small, born 1 Oct 1886.
- 3-Charles Logan Small, born in Nov 1889. Married Nora.
- 4-Ruth Small, born 1 Sept 1891. Married Omer Mills.
- 5-Bailey Snail, born in 1893. Married Josie Davie. He
died in 1932.
- 6-Howard W. Small, born 28 Jan 1896. Single.
- 7-Juanita Nerine Small, born 25 Aug 1599. Married
Joseph Franklin Vance 23 Sept 1922. They have 2
daughters.
- A-Wanda Ruth Vance, born 15.-Mar 1927 in Tulsa,
Oklahoma. Married Lester Lee Thompson 12 Oct 1946.
Lester was born 27 Nov 1924 in Lamar, Colorado. They
have 2 daughters.
- 1-Deanna Kay Thompson, born 14 Aug 1947 in
Lamar, Colorado. She married Jimmy Dewayne
Parish 29 Aug 1965.
- 2-Cherie Susanne Thompson, born 8 Dec i950 in
Lamar. Married Phiiiip Davis Cotton 4 Sept 1970.
- B-Margaret Elizabeth Vance, born 30 Aug 1934.
Married John William Newton 27 May 1957. They have 2
daughters.
- 1-Cindy Newton, born 12 Oct 1959.
- 2-Jonnabeth Newton, born '17 Jan 1963.
- B-Eliza Long, born 1563 in Figure 5, Crawford County,
Arkansas. Married Casey Hensley I Mar 1881. Eliza died in
1899.
Mary Ann then married her 3rd husband, John Mulkey about
1865. They had a son.
- A-George Mulkey, born in 1865. He married Rosie
Sullivan. He died in 1894. After a long and colorful
life, Mary Ann died 21 Nov 1911 at age 90. She is buried
in the Oliver Springs Cemetery in Crawford County,
Arkansas
- 4-William Trewhiitt (4th child of Dr. Jesse and
Nancy Gilstrap Trewhitt.), born 15 Jan 1823 in Morgan
County, Tennessee.
lie came with his parents to Putnam Co., Missouri. He married
Martha Ann West in 1844. She was born in 1528 in Indiana. They
were the parents of 6 children, all born in Putnam County.
William was in the Civil War and received a pension #815985. He
moved to Crawford County, Arkansas then to Butterfield, Barry,
County, Missouri. Due to some family trouble William changed the
spelling of his name to Truhitt. He died in Butterfield 8 Apr
1909 and was quite a wealthy man. Their children:
- A-James Truhitt, born in 1846. Died 18 Nov 1884.
Single.
- B-Sarah Jane Truhitt, born 4 May 1850. Married Reuben
Lewis 18 Apr 1882.
- C-Elizabeth Truhitt, born 10 Apr 1552. Married a Mr.
Reynolds.
- D-Dinza Truhitt, born in 1855.
- E-Benjamin Richard Truhitte born 10 Jan 1860. Married his
cousin, Serelda Guffey 1 July 1875 in Crawford County,
Arkansas. She was born 19 Mar 1859 in Sullivan County,
Missouri to Richard and Angelitta Jones Guffey. They were
the parents of 14 children. The first one was born in Van
Buren, Arkansas. Then the family moved to Purdy, Barry
County, Missouri where the other children were born.
Benjamin died in July 1936 and Serelda in Mar 1937. Both are
buried in the Sparks Cemetery near Purdy. Their children
are:
- 1-Sarah Frances Truhitte born 15 Sept 1876. Married
Ellis Cannon.
- 2-Son born and died 25 Nov 1878.
- 3-Elizabeth Truhitte- born 9 Jan 1850. Married George
Wierman. She died in 1940.
- 4-Rosa Truhitte born in Dec 1851. Died 12 July 1853.
- 5-Madison Monroe Truhitte Born 19 Feb 1883. Married
Martha Doty.
- 6-William Richard Truhitte born 29 Sep 1885. Married
Mary Ella Oaks. He died 10 Aug 1946.
- 7-Florence Truhitte born 20 Aug 1887. Died in 1889.
- 8-Benjamin Harrison Truhitte born 20 Mar 1889. Married
Rosa Bennett. He died in 1971.
- 9-Harvey, born 20 Nov 1891. Married Clarice Dodson.
- 10-Lena May Truhitte. born 20 Jun 1595. Married Roy
Swindell.
- 11-Maude Estella Truhitte born 11 Dec 1896. Married
Lloyd Hemphill 11 May 1915. Maude died in Purdy.
- 12-Norman Gibb Truhitte. born 1 Jan 1900. Married
Blanche VanZandt 25 Dec 1924 in Star City, Barry County,
Missouri. Blanche was born 27 Feb 1904 in Cassville,
Barry County to Walter and Margaret Josephine Edens
VanZandt. Their 2 children:
- A-Charles Van Truhitte born 4 Apr 1930 in Purdy,
Barry County, Missouri. Married Willie Ann Berglund.
There were no children. Charles died 25 Sep 1975.
- B-LoVella Iris Truhitte born 5 Sept 1938 in
Cassville, Barry County, Missouri. Married Paul D.
Moore 19 May 1957. They have 2 children:
- 1-Tracy Lynn Moore, born 21 Apr 1960 in
Joplin, Missouri. Married David Richard Martin
25 June 1953. They live in Arnold, Missouri.
David is the son of Clarence A. and Ruth Mentz
Martin. Tracy teaches school in Jefferson
County, Missouri.,
- 2-Scott David Moore, born 15 Dec 1962 in
Joplin. David is a music major at Southeast
Missouri State University.
- 13-14-Twin sons, born and died 20 Feb 1901.
- 5-Elizabeth Trewhitt, born in 1825 (5th child
of Dr. Jesse and Nancy Gilstrap Trewhitt.) Married Morris
Adkins 10 Dec 1842 in Unionville.
- 6-Mary Eliza Trewhitt, born 2 Sept 1831 in Morgan County,
Tennessee. Moved with her parents to Putnam County, Missouri.
When she was 14 years old she married George Washington Young 12
Nov 1845 in Putnam County, Missouri. They were married by J. M.
Brasfield, Justice of the Peace. George was born 13 Aug 1821 in
Washington County, Kentucky to Jacob and Elizabeth Stump Young.
George lived in Washington County then Rails County. There was
very little opportunity for schooling. They lived in the Elm
Township in Putnam County, twelve miles Southeast of Unionville.
He was a hard worker and a good business manager and acquired
over 900 acres of land. During the Civil War he enlisted in
Company E 15th Missouri Infantryman, operating mostly in
Northern Missouri. He served as Corporal part of the time and
was well acquainted with ...
- C-Sarah or Sally,
- D-Levi.
- B-Mary Trewhitt, (2nd child of Joseph and Percillar Trewhitt)
- C-William Trewhitt, whose first wife was Lydia. They had 5 children listed
in his will.
- 1-Rebecca Trewhitt. To receive 1 bedstead and furniture.
- 2-Mary Trewhitt, What I have already given her. Mary married Richard
Gilstrap 6 Feb 1788 in Craven County. They had 2 sons.
Mary died and Richard married Nancy Wright 24 May 1797. Mary and
Richard's children were both born in Craven County, North
Carolina.
- A-David Gilstrap. Married Hannah Reed 1 Mar 1813 in Wayne
County, Kentucky.
- B-Peter Gilstrap, born in 1790. Married Elizabeth Grace Ingram 11
Aug 1814. in Wayne County, Kentucky. They, with others, moved
to Washington County, Indiana where 11 children were born to them.
- 1-Viole, born in 1817. Married John Adams. She died in 1879.
- 2-Mary, born in 1818. Married Thomas Starks.
- 3-Jacob, born 1 Feb 1820. Married Millie Jane Flax. He died 20
June 1892.
- 4.-Jane, born in 1822. Married William Smith.
- 5.Richard, born in 1824. Married Margaret Buchanan. He died 2 Oct
1879.
- 6-Andrew Jackson, born in 1826.
- 7-Nancy, born in 1829. Married William H. Starks.
- 8-Rebecca, born in 1830. Married Johnthan Buzzard. She died in
1898.
- 9-Sarah F., born 13 Jan 1831. Married Daniel Humphrey 23 Mar 1848.
She died 11 July 1856.
- 10-Levi, born about 1833.
- 11-William, born in 1838. Married Lydia Margaret Gilstrap. She was
the daughter of Jeremiah and Rachel Gilstrap. He died in 1912.
- 3-James Trewhitt, 1 large pewter dish in addition to what he already
has.
- 4-William Trewhitt, 5 shillings in addition to what I have already
given him. William married Ruth Vandrick 26 June 1801 in Craven County.
In her father Jess's will Ruth is to keep the cattle he had loaned her
when she was married.
- 5-Levi Trewhitt, who was Executor of his father's will. Levi married
Patience Roberts 14 Jan 1791. His will was probated in Dec 1793.
- D-Elijah Trewhitt (4th child of Joseph and Percillar
Trewhitt) Married Sarah Chapman 1 Apr 1794 in Craven County. He sold
100 acres to John Allen for 100 pounds on the 15th of Jan 1796.
- E-John Trewhitt. No records for him.
- F-Samuel Trewhitt. He bought 100 acres on the South side of the Neuse
River for 40 pounds 5 Jan 1790.

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